EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE USE

No articles were found when a literature search was performed using the key words “Koren Specific Technique.” The Koren Seminars Website has a section on case studies and testimonials relating to the KST.  Under this section no case studies are found, instead there is only a list of testimonials, most of which come from practitioners.  (http://www.teddkorenseminars.com/graduate-stories.asp) 

Dr. Koren claims that the effectiveness of the technique is evidenced by both the positive results and the occurrence of a phenomenon called “retracing”.  Retracing is the resurfacing of previous physical and emotional damage in reverse chronological order as the patient is healing.  He mentions at least one story of a patient reporting vivid dreams of a past traumatic relationship the night after receiving her first treatment for an unrelated complaint.  This process is recognized by homeopaths as part of Herings Law or the Law of Cure. 

EVIDENCE AGAINST THE USE

The most compelling argument against the use of this technique is a lack of published data supporting the KST as a treatment for various illness and injuries that it claims to heal. No studies have ever been published related to this technique, nor are there any publications related to the ArthroStim instrument.   

Many chiropractic websites claim that the KST is a result of research and clinical experimentation(http://www.caronchiro.com/Treatments/Arthrostim.html), (http://www.drkevinkita.com/html/kst_technique.html). However, with all these claims, there is not a single peer reviewed publication providing an explanation of the technique, nor is there any evidence supporting such claims. 

These websites also claim the KST is useful for many unrelated conditions including, but not limited to musculoskeletal problems, neuropathy, fatigue, insomnia, colic in infants, ADHD and learning disorders in children and sinus congestion. (http://www.doctorbruce.ca/about_chiropractic.htm)  However, no references are given to provide evidence supporting these claims. Furthermore, most of the websites only repeat what is claimed on the Koren Seminars Website.  On the Koren Seminars Website, there is a link to “Case Studies,” yet there are only testimonials from seminar participants linked to this heading.      

            Other evidence indicates that this technique was developed to actually increase satisfaction amongst chiropractors. This is why chiropractors tell Dr. Koren they want to adopt the KST:

1. The doctor is physically damaged from performing classic chiropractics

2. The doctor has chronic issues not resolved by other techniques

3. Boredom

4. The doctor wants a better technique to use in his practice

5. Opportunity to learn and grow

These reasons to create a new treatment arouse skepticism and raise suspicion that the KST is spurious.            

            It is also suspicious that the KST is only taught through Koren Seminars at a price ranging from $995.00 to $1350.00 for a weekend seminar session.